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A couple of lads are up for a bit of a bikepacking adventure when the weather comes good.
Will be the first trip, so nothing too adventurous - thinking Darley Dale to Hope on the first day (17.5 miles by road, so probably a bit more off road). Maybe campsite and home comforts/pub etc first night
Day 2 - either head Edale way, or Ladybower direction, get a few miles in and wild camp for the night
Day three start heading back depending how far away we end up determines how far we get
So only loose plans so far. Was thinking of heading out along the cycle path/Coombs Road to Bakewell, then on to the Monsal Trail as far as Hassop. Then head Grindleford direction and on to Hope.
This is where I have no clue of suitable off road routes. Obviously doesn't want to be too much of a challenge being loaded with gear.
The return leg would probably see us heading Tideswell direction on the way back to Bakewell - again, no idea of suitable routes. Want to stay away from roads as much as possible
So the whole route would be a bit of a lollipop - out and back with a loop round the southern part of the Dark Peak.
Obviously OS maps exist, but don't always give the full picture - so any experience of a similar route would be welcome
Too many words there for my brain. So which part do you want help with exactly?
This might give you some ideas. I realise it's not the route as a whole you want but you could use sections of it.
https://www.selfsupporteduk.net/peakitt
some possibles here:
https://gravelmap.com/map#_=9.97/53.238/-1.7251
and this:
https://bikepacking.com/routes/peak-potter/
Monsal trail to Millers Dale then follow the Pennine Bridleway to Peak Forest and there are then lots of ways to Hope.
Monsal trail to Millers Dale then follow the Pennine Bridleway to Peak Forest and there are then lots of ways to Hope.
That would probably be the return leg - the loop would be anti clockwise. Possibly
Actually we could make Millers Dale the out and back and just do a loop from there. I know the area, just not off road tracks. I suppose we are looking for 'gravel' for the most of it
I think I would come off the Monsal Trail at Great Longstone  and head over Longstone Edge to Foolow and Great Hucklow. From there via a track to Little Hucklow then around the quarry above Castleton onto Dirtlow Rake and down Pindale. From there you can go directly to Hope or through the quarry to Bradwell first.
There are some nice additions if you can stomach the mileage or perhaps end day one before Hope.
From Coombs Road through Manners Wood to Chatsworth, Edensor (out along the track to the West), Pilsley, then tracks to Hassop. From there you could continue to Rowland and High Rake (Black Harry Land), thence Foolow as above. Or you could just do a loop of High Rake from Great Longstone.
Having come off Longstone Moor you could take the track from the Foolow road across to Eyam, then up to Sir William Hill and the track around the North of Bretton.
From Great Hucklow there is the option of going onto Shatton Moor via Abney descending towards Bamford or Brough.
On the way back, perhaps Oxbow Rake to Peak Forest than follow the PBW to Millers Dale. From there you can jump onto the Monsal Trail directly or go past Ravenstor to the nice little track below Littonslack then do the hillclimb at Monsal Head (!) back the Great Longstone.
@slowoldman. Some good tips there, thanks
Not sure about the climb out of Litton Dale though with a loaded MTB 😭🤣
The initial grassy bit is steep (a push maybe?) but it eases off.
I was thinking about your proposed day 2 and I guess Ladybower are good ideas. Perhaps including Jagger's Clough off Edale Road, Hope Cross, The Brinks, or maybe Elmin Pits and Ladybower Plantation. The loop round the Derwent reservoirs is a pleasant trip and I would be tempted to throw in the climb (push again?) up to Whinstone Lee Tor. A bivvy up there might be nice followed by the descent to Cutthroat Bridge and the Ladybower Inn.
I like the stuff on Totley Moor and Big Moor, Baslow, Curbar and Frogatt Edges (not too demanding with a loaded MTB) though that might be a bit to far East to fit into your schedule.
I like the stuff on Totley Moor and Big Moor, Baslow, Curbar and Frogatt Edges
In isolation, it's all closer, so definitely an option. And I have a much better route knowledge of the area
As I see it you've got two options. Head north up to Rowsley, then either
1) Head up over Lees Moor and drop down through Chatsworth, then up through Baslow where there's a climb to Curbar Edge, follow that along to Longshaw. Then there's a bit of a downhill road ride to Hathersage. Lots of options from there to get to hope, either via the main hope road or over Shatton Moor, or string something together to the north of the hope road.
2) Head up over Lees Moor, but pickup the Monsall Trail. Come off and head towards Rowland, then up and over to Eyam. From Eyam lots of quiet roads to take you to Brasewll then hope, or drop down Cavedale if you're feeling it.
First option has the better views in my opionion and less road sections.